Most Memorable Moments of 2009

Death of Michael Jackson

It came as a complete shock when the King of Pop passed away on June 25 after going into cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. An epic memorial service was held at the Staples Center with an array of celebrities who performed and spoke, as well as an estimated 31 million at home watching. The Los Angeles Coroner is now treating the death as a homicide and investigating Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's physician. 

Balloon Boy Hoax

When Richard and Mayumi Heene decided to pull a prank on the public on October 15 by pretending their son, Falcon, had flown away in a homemade balloon, they really had no idea what they were getting themselves into. With the Federal Aviation Administration and the Colorado National Guard chasing the balloon, the Heenes definitely had their fifteen minutes of fame and are now ordered to pay $42,000 in services and have both been ordered jail time for 30 to 60 days.

Inauguration of Barack Obama

January 20 marked the inauguration of America's first black president and was held in Washington D.C. with the largest attendance in history for the city with 1.8 million people. A reported 21 million viewers watched from home.

Tiger Woods' Adultery

After hitting a fire hydrant next to his home in Florida at 2:30 in the morning on November 27, suspicions of infidelity began to emerge after a tabloid reported an affair Woods had with a night club owner. Within a couple of weeks, a dozen women came forward, claiming to have affairs with Woods. The golf pro then announced he was taking a hiatus from golfing and admitted to infidelity. Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren just had their second child on February 8 of this year. 

Jon and Kate Split Up

One of America's favorite reality couples announced their divorce on their hit television show, Jon and Kate Plus 8, on June 22. Suspicions of infidelity had already been circulating and their divorce was finalized on December 18, along with the cancellation of the show.

H1N1 Virus

Also known as the Swine Flu, the flu pandemic began in April of this year, with thousands of deaths reported and on April 30 the World Health Organization calling it a pandemic. It caused the country to get their flu shots and for shortages to occur, but luckily didn't get any worse.

Health Care Debate

Thousands protested in Washington D.C. in September to oppose President Obama's national health care plan that many claimed would be too expensive for the country and would eventually undermine care. It was the first public demonstration since he took office and many Obama supporters expressed disappointment for his stance.

Chris Brown Abuses Rihanna

After a night out at a party for the Grammys on February 7, Rihanna was abused by her boyfriend, Chris Brown, after she found a text message from another woman on his phone. They eventually split and Brown was ordered one year of counseling, five years of probation, and six months of community service.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com